Why this?

The occasional poem of my own and a generous helping of work by others that I find inspiring. Site is named for a beloved book by one of my favorite writers, Italo Calvino, whose fanciful work lights--and delights--my soul.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Hill Behind Finn’s House, Val Verde, January

How to get around it isn’t clear.A thicket hedged across the road,a high curve massof tumbleweeds.Wind draws their tendrils tight.How to get around them.To the left, uphill,to the right, the placewe used to be, wheretumbleweeds won’t tumble.Earth and sky and thorny combsthat card them to each other.You’re loose from your root,hair caught in a knot at your nape.Touch a tumbleweed, it springs back.Tossed upon its thickest wisp,a length of sisal twineworked stiff,a fishnet glovethe air can wear.How it blowsbetween you.The wind that namesthe tumbleweed, names its purpose,calls it by the way it moves.I didn’t know you had a cactusnow tattooed across your back.I haven’t seen you naked in so long.--Iris Cushing